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is from our archive of Louis Vuitton-specific information. The
Louis Vuitton FAQ was created when this site
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Date
Codes/Serial Numbers

I
can't find a date code on my bag. Does that mean
it is not authentic?

No.
Louis Vuitton implemented the use of date codes
in the early 1980's. Your bag may have been produced
before date codes were used. In addition, date
codes are difficult to locate on many items.

How
do I interpret date codes?

As
much as we would like to share this information
with well-intentioned people, my policy is not
to do so. You may visit your local Louis Vuitton
Boutique or contact Louis Vuitton's Headquarters
at (212) 758-8877 to inquire, however, they will
likely be unwilling to share this information either.

Can
you tell me where a date code should be located?

If
you send photos of your item, I may be able to
point you in the right direction.

Can
I assume my bag is authentic if it has a date
code?

Having
a date code does not assure authenticity. Most
good fakes have valid date codes. However, an invalid date
code means that the bag is not authentic.

Are
a serial number and date code the same thing?

The
proper term is "date code" and the two
terms refer to the same thing: The number assigned
by the factory when the item was manufactured.

I
am a seller. Is it safe to give out the date
code to people who ask me? I am afraid that
unscrupulous people will use it for their own
auctions.

If
a potential bidder inquires, I would give the date
code. People are becoming much more savvy and this
is information they want in order to feel more
comfortable with their purchase. In addition, there
are many auctions that do give date codes and since
more than one item can have the same date code,
it would not be difficult for scammers to just
pick one they like.

Are
there any LV bags that do not have a serial
number inside? ie: LUCO?

Yes.
Vintage (pre-1980) bags do not have date codes.
The Luco tote is relatively new, so it should have
a date code.

Does
every single Louis Vuitton purse or wallet
have a serial number?

No.

You
told me that the date code on my bag was not
valid. Other than that, it seems everything's
in order, so are you sure it is not authentic?

The
date code, if present, is a critical component.
If it is invalid, the item is not authentic.

Do
all authentic LV's have date codes and or serial
numbers? I recently got a Spontini from the
Louis Vuitton store in McLean, Virginia but
I can't find any kind of date or serial number
stamped anywhere on/in it?

All
modern items should have a date code. There should
be a date code on your Spontini. Ask the store
where you purchased it to tell you where to find
it.

Please
take a look at this auction for me. Seller
can't find a date code, and I'm not sure where
to look on a Nil. Says he bought it at LV Palm
Beach 18 years ago, so it should have a date
code.

If
it has a date code, it should be branded or stamped
inside the larger compartment, likely along the
zipper or a seam near the top.

I
asked a seller for the date code on a bag and
here is the reply I got:

For
security reasons, I am unable to disclose the
serial number to you. Yes, I purchased this wallet
myself. thank you.

So,
what do you think? What is the "security
reason" not to disclose the serial number?

You
could be a counterfeiter who wants to use the number
for you own evil means.However, there is no “security” risk
involved here.

I
have been looking at the bag I purchased closer,
after I saw that there are factories in the
U.S. It has a serial number on the inside that
reads SD0945. the plating on the zipper pulls
seem to be flaking off, is this normal? I also
purchased a set of hard sided suitcases and
have two questions...

1
.when would these have been made... serial numbers
980563, and 92841 2. These are both nearly immaculate
but they have a few abrasions that look like
they were rubbed against a painted wall and they
look like they will come off. What do you recommend
to clean the monogram material?

NOTE:
This response was contributed by one of Poupette's
Recommended Sellers:

I
don't know how to tell an age of a piece by the
serial number. Usually the only way to get an exact
age is to contact LV in Paris and have them look
up the numbers. If you have a pic of the two cases,
I can give you a rough estimate of their age. I
would also have to see them to tell you how to
clean them. The older ones were hand stenciled
and any made after 1959 would be covered in a PVC
coated canvas. Seeing them would make it much easier
to help you. Please forward any pictures you have
and I will be glad to assist you.

I
have recently bought an Epi Sac D'Epaule from
eBay and can't seem to locate the serial number
or date code on the buckle. Am I looking in
the wrong place?

You
should find it on the strap, under the belt loop.

Where
do you locate the date code on sac keep all?

It
should be inside on one of the leather tabs attached
to the handles.

How
can I get into the LV selling business?

It
is a very tough business to get into. You cannot
purchase wholesale LV from ANYWHERE! People will
lead you to believe you can, but it is just not
possible. LV sends it products DIRECTLY to its
retail stores. The only way to do sales is to
build up an inventory by purchasing at a bargain
price somewhere else--the internet, for example--and
then selling for a profit.

Do
you know of any reputable people on the internet
that sell pretty cheap? I am seriously thinking
about selling them if I can find authentic.

Meantime,
people buy and trade LV goods all the time. Some
people sell LV on consignment to get stared, after
the original purchaser no longer wants the bag.
Others shop on eBay and other venues such as estate
sales, to find bargains that they can resell.

I
am dying to be a reseller of LV. I have this
person saying that they sell LV because they
purchase from closeouts. I told him there was
no such thing, is that right? Please let me
know what you think of this site: www.luxbags.com?
They guarantee authenticity on all their stuff.

Most
of their photos are lifted from eLUXURY and the
others appear to be counterfeit. I would steer
clear. Regardless of their claim of authenticity,
I don’t buy it. It is true that Louis Vuitton
does not wholesale its products. They ship directly
from the factory to their retail stores.

I
am looking to open a designer handbag store
but will only deal with authentic merchandise.
Do you know if there is a way to buy directly
from Louis Vuitton? If not are there any places
where I can buy authentic merchandise?

Unfortunately,
LV does not wholesale its products. Most people
start with consignment or have associates in other
cities or countries who take in consignment orders
and ship to the U.S. for sale. Another way is to
build an inventory by purchasing via auction.

How
do your Recommended Sellers get all that stuff
to sell?

Some
buy from LV, others may own, or buy from consignment
stores; still others obtain their merchandise from
friends and relatives or even LV store employees.
If you are aware of any illegally-obtained merchandise
for sale by a MPRS, please notify me and provide
evidence to support your claim